An Open Door for the King

This has been a more of a challenging week as far as my level of energy. I have been fighting a nagging cough that interrupts my sleep (and Debbie’s too!) It is one of those “I’m not really sick” but “I’m not as ‘perky’ as last week” times. I was able to get over the fitness center to go through my workout routine. That actually went fairly well.

Debbie has an unexpected day off tomorrow, so that will give us some time to go to Denver and see the grandkids and be there for an appointment Debbie has on Saturday morning.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “Lift up your heads, O gates!  And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!” Psalm 24:7-10

I have been reading “The Book of God” by Walter Wangerin. It is the story of the Bible in novel form. As I was reading today he was referencing one of my favorite Psalms but placed it in the context of the rituals of Israel at the time. He describes priests and people gathering in the Temple near the break of day. A procession of two lines of priests side by side make their way toward the eastern gate. Some a carrying a rams horns, one is carrying hammer.

When they reach the eastern gate they find a rope holding two big doors shut. The rope is sheathed in hard clay and has been there for a year. The hammer comes down and breaks the seal. Six priests, three learning against each of the big doors push hard to open the doors.

There to the east is the Mount of Olives and as the sunrises a beam of light comes through the eastern gate and over the altar and into the Temple. The trumpets blast a loud, long tone. One voice is lifted, “Lift up your heads, O gates!  And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in….Who is the King of Glory?” the people respond in unison, “The Lord of Hosts He is the King of Glory!”

This is how the Children of Israel would greet the New Year and begin to celebrate the Day of Atonement. It all begins with opening the way for the Lord to come and shine His light into the world and into our lives.

Making room for Jesus is an important part of the Christmas story. It is important for our lives. The doors of the Inn were shut, but a stable was open for Mary and Joesph. Jesus comes where He is welcome and where the door is open. The well known verse of Revelation 3:20 is “Behold, I stand at the door and knock….” When doors are opened for the Lord there is light, there is hope, there is salvation, there is celebration.

When I consider this picture of the eastern gates and the Mount of Olives, I reflect back on our trip to Israel in they year 2000. I looked from the Mount of Olives to the eastern gate, I got as close to the eastern gate as possible on a walk around the walls of Jerusalem, but the idea of the gates being swung open and seeing the Mount of Olives from the inside of the Temple is an exciting picture.

The Bible tell us when Jesus returns His feet will touch the Mount of Olives. The eastern gate is the one permanently closed in anticipation of the arrival of the Messiah. As exciting to image being in the audience thousands of years ago and hearing the antiphonal praise to the Lord, we can look forward the day when there is a new Jerusalem and perhaps in that city where there is eternal light from God’s presence, we will hear one day, ““Lift up your heads, O gates!  And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.” And the the voice asks, “Who is the King of  Glory?” And the redeemed of the ages can stand in a great multitude and with a loud voice proclaim, “The Lord, strong and mighty…He is the King of Glory!” and He is the God of our salvation!